I was under the assumption that a magnetic field acts similar to that of the normal force in mechanics; both affect the path of the object, but do no work. So now suppose that we have a rectangular circuit with the left side in an uniform magnetic field that is pointing towards the computer screen and the right side being moved at a velocity $v$ Since the whole circuit is moving with a velocity $v$ there is a magnetic force perpendicular to $v$, but still in the direction of the wire. Therefore the magnetic field pushes the charges along. If we assume the charges to be that of protons and electrons, the magnetic field will separate electrons from protons and cause current to flow. My confusion is on the very fact that the magnetic field is causing the current to flow. I simply thought the magnetic field would change the direction of current flow. How can this be?
[Physics] How does a magnetic field “push” charges
electric-currentelectromagnetism
Best Answer
Magnetism arises from the continuous movement or spin of electric charges. Therefore magnetism does affect electric charges not only of direction but also pulling them to move the same way the electrons causing the magnetic field are and mostly to spin the same way.